Hemorrhoidal support

ABSTRACT

A hemorrhoid support shaped to utilize the sphincter rectal muscle for retaining the rectal insert portion thereof in an inserted position with an enlarged cylindrical head portion of the insert&#39;&#39;s oblong length exerting a mild pressure against distended vascular structure of the wearer, the hemorrhoid support having intimate with a narrowed base of the conical portion of the insert a crotch-bar extending substantially linearlly at about a right angle to the rectal insert in a rearward direction and extending in a slight arc a lesser distance forwardly at a slightly acute angle relative to the rectal insert, there being utilizable with the hemorrhoid support as a part thereof a support strap attached at least to the forward arc portion of the crotch-bar and extending rearwardly to an aft attachment to a waist belt.

United States Patent Davidowitz 51 Jan. 23, 1973 1 1 HEMORRHOIDAL SUPPORT Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet [76] Inventor: Solomon Davidowitz, 153-38 58th Assistant Examiner-l Yasko Avenue, Flushing, NY. 1 1355 Attorney-Laforest S. Saulsbury [22] Filed: Sept. 20, 1971 ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 181,876

Habib ..128/98 X at about a right angle to the rectal insert in a rearward direction and extending in a slight are a lesser distance forwardly at a slightly acute angle relative to the rectal insert, there being utilizable with the hemorrhoid support as a part thereof a support strap attached at least to the forward arc portion of the crotch-bar and extending rearwardly to an aft attachment to a waist belt.

10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDJAI23I913 I 3.712.300

SHEET 1 0F 2 l N VEN TOR.

SOLOMON DAVID WITZ FIG.5

ATTORNEY PATENTEDJAN23 m5 3.712.300

SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR.

soumou DAVIDOWITZ ATTORNEY 1 HEMORRHOIDAL SUPPORT This invention is directed to a hemorrhoid support and. a process of use of the support.

BACKGROUND Prior to this invention there have been various devices for the relief of or treatment of the physical body conditions of hemorrhoids and/or the resulting discomforts thereof. A typical former patent is a hemorrhoid truss ofU.S. Pat. No. 2,559,762 in which a pad such as soft sponge or foam rubber is merely pressed upwardly against the outer skin portion of the body surrounding the rectum sphincter muscle, in order to afford some upward pressure thereon. The pad is necessarily mounted on a strap in order to afford the upward pressure. An analagous device having additionally an insert of cylindrical shape extending upwardly from the center of the cushion is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 942,590, which insert is hollow with perforations therein and an ejector spring biased against a remedial composition pressable through the apertures for a treatment of a hemorrhoid condition. Another device with a cylinder extending upward from a convex cushion surface includes a spherical head at the upper end of the cylindrical shaft allegedly for holding in place the piles and hemorrhoids and for occasioning the relief therefrom. Another typical device is illustrated in US. Pat. No. 2,721,549 disclosed in a cylindrical head extending axially from a mounting neck of cylindrical shape having a shield around the neck cylinder and having a cord attachment at the terminal end of the neck for removal of the insert; the latter device intended to serve to retain protruding piles allegedly is self-retaining within the rectum-inserted position.

None of the above-referred to devices and no devices known to the inventor prior to this invention were actually self-retainable in an inserted position not capable of being retained with comfort and/or without discomfort or pain over an extended period of time or when sitting or bending in various positions, or the like. Similarly, there were no known devices prior to this invention affording painless support and at least potentially capable of checking mild conditions of potential bleeding of hemorrhoids.

The support to which this invention was directed faced particular additional, unique problems as a result of some of the objects of the invention. For example, in order for a person with troublesome hemorrhoids to endure a typical normal day's work standing, sitting, flexing body muscles, and the like, it is desirable that an insert portion of the support to be retained within the rectum for extended periods of time, yet that the insert not stretch the tissues nor aggravate the sphincter muscle which when aggravated or irritated by even a minimally raised or lowered or bumpy surface promptly ejects the insert; concurrently however, it is essential that the insert be shaped to facilitate its retention and to provide the desired and needed degree of support and mild pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of this invention is a hemorrhoid support and a process of use thereof overcoming one or more of the deficiencies and/or problems of prior devices, and having additional advantages not heretofore obtainable.

Another object is a hemorrhoid support having one or more advantages of relief of discomfort and/or pain from hemorrhoids, affording sufficient support as to enable a wearer having troublesome hemorrhoids to perform without any significant adverse effects a normal days work including reasonable amounts of sitting, standing, bending, or the like, and/or providing for comfort while wearing the device during the taking of various sitting, standing, stooping, bending, or the like positions, and/or to check tendencies of hemorrhoids to protrude and/or tissues to bleed at least in moderate hemorrhoid situations.

Another object is to exert moderate pressure sufficient to afford support of hemorrhoids without the stretching of tissues and without the stretching of or tendency to fatigue the sphincter rectal dilator muscle.

Another object is to afford adequate support and/or relief of hemorrhoid discomfort over extended periods without incurring irritation of membranes and/or tissues.

Another object is a hemorrhoid support including a rectal insert designed such that the rectal sphincter muscle is not aggravated into an insert-ejecting spastic condition.

Another object is a hemorrhoid insert support not readily accidentally extrudable nor injurious to hemorrhoidal tissue upon intentional removal from the rectum.

Other objects become apparent from the preceding and following disclosure.

One or more of the objects of this invention are obtained by the invention as described hereafter.

The rectal support broadly includes a crotch-bar linear over a majority of its axial length and terminating over a minor portion of its length in an arc, with a rectal insert projection extending at about a right angle from the linear portion and at a slightly acute angle from a position adjacent to the arc, the insert extending from a narrow base conically outward to a cylindrically shaped head aligned axially with the conical portion, with the terminal end of the cylindrical head being mounted in the nature of a half-sphere, i.e., the rectal insert projection being oval in shape. The arc portion of the crotchbar curves slightly upwardly and fits in the crotch anterior to the rectum behind the scrotum when the rectal insert projection is inserted within the rectum.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the crotch-bar is substantially triangular in cross-section, having rounded edges, the cross bar is of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic or other similar type material having a minor degree of resistance to bending but being substantially resilient and soft, and the crotch-bar normally is of solid cross-section throughout its length. Similarly the insert projection preferably is of the same composition as that of the crotch-bar, preferably of rubber, plastic, or other non-toxic resilient material and preferably of solid cross-section. Also preferably, the rectal insert is continuous with and unitary with -i.e., a continuous solid composition the crotch bar. Typically, the rectal insert is about the same length as measured axially from the edge of the crotch-bar as the entire axial length of the crotch-bar itself, and typically the rectal insert projection extends,

as noted above, about perpendicularly to the lineal portion and a slight acute angle to the arc, with the lineal portion being about two or three times the length of the art portion as measured axially.

In a further preferred embodiment, a strip of supporting cloth attaches to the arc-forward portion, is extendable beneath the bottom of the crotch-bar and is attachable to or continuous with a rearward attaching point of a waist band.

In a preferred embodiment, the crotch-bar is triangular substantially in cross-section with a rounded upper portion and with a substantially flat-faced lower surface.

THE FIGURES FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the hemorrhoid support of this invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the hemorrhoid support of this invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an end view of the support of this invention, as it would be viewed from the end of the linear section of the crotch-bar, and is analagous to the view of FIG. 5 except that the view of FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken further along the linear portion of the crotch-bar.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, illustrating the characteristic shape of the cross sectional area of the crotch-bar and its continuation at the top thereof as a unitary projection defining the insert shown in a cross section of its lngitudinal axis.

FIG. 5 is an in-part cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2. 1

FIG. 6 is a view of the invention in cross section as taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a typical strap which may optionally be used in a preferred embodiment to provide additional emergency support in the nature of prevention of the insert from being ejected during excessive strain such as when lifting, coughing, or sneezing, for example.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a waist band to which the strap of FIG. 7 typically may be attached.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear view of the waist band of FIG. 8 illustrating a typical rear attachment of the supporting strap of FIG. 7 along the back section of the waist band.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view in cross section of the rectal support as it would appear in the inserted position within the wearer, as taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the support of this invention, including the crotch-bar l2 and the insert 14 extending from a narrow base 16 from the top of the linear portion 18, extending outwardly conically as portion 20 and continuing as a cylindrical portion 22 and terminating as a hemisphere 24; the insert portion 14 of the hemorrhoidal support of this invention is thus of an oblong shape.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the hemorrhoidal support of FIG. 1, the narrowed neck 16 of the insert beginning at the upper portion 18 of the crotch-bar 12 and extending conically outwardly to be continuous along an axial axis of cylindrical portion 22 continues with and terminating as hemisphere 24. The forward portion 26 of the crotch-bar angles slightly upwardly toward the insert portion 14 defining therebetween a slight acute angle slightly less than 90, typically of about for example. The linear portion 28 of the crotch-bar 12 from which the insert extends defines an angle between the insert and the linear portion of about typically, for example. Typically, as noted above, the insert 14 may be about three times the length of the forward portion 26 (the arc portion), and about onethird longer than the linear portion of the crotch-bar 28. However, it should be recognized that the scope of this invention is intended to include variations in the relative length of the insert relative to the length of the are 26 and the length of the linear portion 28. Similarly, although the relative cross sectional areas of The insert, and/or the crotch-bar, relative to each other and/or relative to the overall size of the total support as illustrated are preferably in proportions about as illustrated in the FIGS. 1 through 5, there may be considerable variations in these cross sectional areas. Variations in length of the crotch-bar and sections thereof and in length of the insert 14, and in the various cross sectional areas of each of the insert and the crotch-bar are a natural and necessary part of different sizes that are made available within the scope of the invention for persons of different physical builds and sizes, a size appropriate for one person clearly being inappropriate for another. Typically the overall length along the longitudinal axis of the insert ranges from about 1% inches up to about 2% inches, typically having a cross sectional diameter in the cylindrical portion ranging from about 55 inch up to about st inch and at the base of the conical section having a narrow neck ranging from about as inch to about inch, for example. In wearers who have a hypotonic sphincter muscle, the diameter of the neck portion as well as the diameter of the cylindrical portion may either or both be increased in diameter, typically by an amount such as one-sixteenth of an inch, greater increases being likely to cause discomfort to the patient and to cause the sphincter muscle to reflexly eject the insert.

FIG. 3 illustrates a view taken from the end 30 of the linearportion 28.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 showing the continuous nature of a typically rubber support.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2, giving a cross section which may be compared to that of FIG. 6 to thereby obtain a total understanding of the cross sectional makeup of the support of this invention in a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 discloses a typical support strap 32 mountable on a waist band 34 of FIG. 8 possibly at the back of the scrotum support 36, and possibly attached at 38 to the back of the waist support 34a as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the forward portion being attached possibly at 36a. In a preferred embodiment, the support 32 is attached to the base 40 of the are 26.

The hemorrhoidal insert of this invention is designed, dimensioned, and constructed as a conservative measure serving to safely, comfortably and effectively ameliorate and possibly prevent acute and/or chronic pain and/or disability that ensues from those afflicted with hemorrhoidal distention and protrusion and possible serving to avert complications associated with this disorder. More particularly the support furnishes support to prolapsed structure, offers comprehensive support to weak, friable and otherwise distended vascular structure. The support provides mechanically an artificial yet resilient floor mediating through a mechanical pressure on redundant tissue of the inner sphincter wall, thus furnishing support and offering compensation for the redundant tissues that fail to buttress the hemorrhoidal veins, thereby counteracting consequent tendency for the distention and protrusion of hemorrhoidal veins while concurrently avoiding obliterating the organic patency of the vessels. The crotch-bar serves as a stop with both the linear portion 28 and the arc portion 26 preferably slightly inclined forward so as to adjust to the contour of the area, it being within the scope of the invention to vary the angle between the insert and the crotch-bar portions. The crotch-bar which remains outside of the anal opening lies in the cleft between the buttocks, and anchors the linear portion on the coccygeal area, the arc portion 26 being anchored on the perineum (crotch). The preferred triangular shape of the crotchbar cross-section serves the function of preventing over-insertion of the device or accidental incursion of the device into the rectum as well as serving the function of allowing the wearer to comfortably sit down with the device inserted and for the sitting to be accomplished with safety. Additionally, either of the arc portion of the crotch-bar or the linear portion may be utilized as a handle for the removal of the support from the inserted position. In order to obtain the maximum benefit from the use of the support of this invention, it is required that a particular process be followed in its use. In particular, it is necessary to insert into the rectum a substantially large quantity of a particular type of lubricant, i.e., the lubricant must be of a reasonably large quantity, larger than normally conventionally used, not being merely a minor amount sufficient for ease of insertion of the device into the rectum; the larger amount is necessary because the support of this invention is intended to allow the wearer to wear the support over a period of 2 to 3 hours or more at a time without any difficulty or irritation. Because a large amount of lubricant with prior support devices would certainly bring about accidental ejection or slippage of the prior art inserts from an inserted position, the particular design, i.e., the particular claimed and disclosed shape of the inventive insert is critical to this invention. The large amounts of lubricant avoids irritation over prolonged use. Also, in order to avoid such irritation, it is necessary that the lubricant be of a consistency such as not to readily rapidly dissipate. Accordingly, preferably the consistency is substantially thick and non-sensitizing. Also the lubricant must be free of constituents harmful to the fabric and longevity of the insert, and must be such that it leaves a deposition of flaky solid matter on the rectal wall thereby enhancing-in a physical waythe selfretention quality of the device. Any conventional lubricants having these characteristics may be employed, as well as possibly therapeutic agents having these necessary physical characteristics of the necessary lubricant for the process of this invention. A typical but not exclusive suitable lubricant is vaseline ointment.

It should be noted that the hemorrhoidal support of this invention, namely the crotch-bar and the insert in combination, is a self-retaining support and that the strap and waist band supports are only optional additions of a preferred embodiment. For a male person, one end of the strap is typically attached to the inside of the pouch of an athletic supporter, passing through the cleft in the buttocks, overlays the back end of the inserted device, and the other end is attached to the waist band of the athletic supporter. For a female wearer, female underclothing may be utilized such as a sanitary belt, panty girdle, or the like, for the attachment thereto of the strap, one end of the strap being attached in the crotch area and the other end of the strap being attached to typically a waist band. The strap also may be in the nature of a sterile pad, providing for hygiene and also providing for the prevention of staining accidentally of underwear by the ointment used on the rectal area. Also, a separate pad may be interposed between the strap and the support device itself.

Although not necessary as a part of the invention, it is also convenient and desirable to have available rubber finger cots, to be used by a wearer on his index finger and manually replacing hemorrhoidal protrusions before inserting the hemorrhoidal insert. The use of such rubber finger cots insures against accidental injury to the hemorrhoidal tissue by a fingernail.

The inventive support is also beneficial as a prophylactic in pregnancy or in a first-degree hemorrhoidal condition, to prevent the onset of a progressive protrusive state.

Although preferably the insert has a solid core, it may be hollow or include an inner channel part or all the way through it axially.

Although preferred embodiments have been described and illustrated in the forgoing specification and drawings, the scope of this invention extends to all such modifications and variations as would constitute obvious equivalents and/or modifications, within the skill of a person of ordinary skill in this field.

What is claimed is:

1. A hemorrhoid rectal support device comprising a crotch-bar extending longitudinally lineally over a major portion of the crotch-bars length and having a slight are adjacent a forward end thereof, said crotchbar having a cross section which in an upwardly extending portion thereof narrows gradually to a rounded upper surface, and unitary with said bar extending upwardly from a linear portion of said bars length adjacent said arc an oval rectal insert extending conically from said crotch-bar for a major portion of said inserts length and thereafter extending substantially cylindrically to a substantially rounded insert terminal.

2. The device according to claim 1, in which said rectal insert extends substantially perpendicularly to said crotch-bars linear portion.

3. The device according to claim 1, in which said crotch-bar cross section is substantially triangular with rounded edges.

4. The device according to claim 1, in which said crotch-bar and said rectal insert each comprises a nontoxic composition of a durometer hardness ranging from about 30 to about 50.

5. The device according to claim 1, in which each of said crotch-bar and said rectal insert is of solid cross section.

6. The device according to claim 1, in which each of said crotchtbar and said rectal insert is rubber.

7. The device according to claim 1, in which said crotch-bar and rectal insert is plastic.

8. The device according to claim 1, including in combination an elastic strap attached at least to about a terminal end of said crotch-bar at said arc-end of said crotch-bar, with said strap extendable rearwardly over a lower surface of said crotch-bar, and a waist band having at a rearward location thereon said rearwardly extending strap attached to the waist band.

9. The device according to claim 8, in which said strap at its forward end is anchored to a forward portion of said belt by a connecting structure, and in which said strap ranges from about 1% inches to about 2% inches in width and ranges from about 12 inches to about inches in length.

10. The device according to claim 1, in which said rectal insert extends substantially perpendicularly to said crotch-bar's linear portion; said crotch-bar cross section is substantially triangular with rounded edges; said crotch-bar and said rectal insert each comprise a non-toxic composition of a durometer hardness ranging from about 30 to about 50, each of said crotch-bar and said rectal insert is of solid cross section; and including in combination an elastic strap attached at least to about a terminal end of said crotch-bar said arc-end of said crotch-bar, with said strap extendable rearwardly over a lower surface of said crotch-bar, and a waist band having at a rearward location thereon said rearwardly extending strap attached to the waist band, and

said strap at its forward end being anchored to a forward portion of said belt by a connecting structure, and in which said strap ranges from about 1% inches to about 2% inches in width and ranging from about 12 inches to about 20 inches in length. 

1. A hemorrhoid rectal support device comprising a crotch-bar extending longitudinally lineally over a major portion of the crotch-bar''s length and having a slight arc adjacent a forward end thereof, said crotch-bar having a cross section which in an upwardly extending portion thereof narrows gradually to a rounded upper surface, and unitary with said bar extending upwardly from a linear portion of said bar''s length adjacent said arc an oval rectal insert extending conically from said crotch-bar for a major portion of said insert''s length and thereafter extending substantially cylindrically to a substantially rounded insert terminal.
 2. The device according to claim 1, in which said rectal insert extends substantially perpendicularly to said crotch-bar''s linear portion.
 3. The device according to claim 1, in which said crotch-bar cross section is substantially triangular with rounded edges.
 4. The device according to claim 1, in which said crotch-bar and said rectal insert each comprises a non-toxic composition of a durometer hardness ranging from about 30 to about
 50. 5. The device according to claim 1, in which each of said crotch-bar and said rectal insert is of solid cross section.
 6. The device according to claim 1, in which each of said crotch-bar and said rectal insert is rubber.
 7. The device according to claim 1, in which said crotch-bar and rectal insert is plastic.
 8. The device according to claim 1, including in combination an elastic strap attached at least to about a terminal end of said crotch-bar at said arc-end of said crotch-bar, with said strap extendable rearwardly over a lower surface of said crotch-bar, and a waist band having at a rearward location thereon said rearwardly extending strap attached to the waist band.
 9. The device according to claim 8, in which said strap at its forward end is anchored to a forward portion of said belt by a connecting structure, and in which said strap ranges from about 1 1/2 inches to about 2 1/2 inches in width and ranges from about 12 inches to about 20 inches in length.
 10. The device according to claim 1, in which said rectal insert extends substantially perpendicularly to said crotch-bar''s linear portion; said crotch-bar cross section is substantially triangular with rounded edges; said crotch-bar and said rectal insert each comprise a non-toxic composition of a durometer hardness ranging from about 30 to about 50, each of said crotch-bar and said rectal insert is of solid cross section; and including in combination an elastic strap attached at least to about a terminal end of said crotch-bar said arc-end of said crotch-bar, with said strap extendable rearwardly over a lower surface of said crotch-bar, and a waist band having at a rearward location thereon said rearwardly extending strap attached to the waist band, and said strap at its forward end being anchored to a forward portion of said belt by a connecting structure, and in which said strap ranges from about 1 1/2 inches to about 2 1/2 inches in width and ranging from about 12 inches to about 20 inches in length. 